One Year

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One Year
One Year Colin Blunstone.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 1971
Recorded1970–1971
Studio Abbey Road Studios and Sound Techniques, London [1]
Genre Chamber pop, rock
Length33:17
Label Epic
Producer Rod Argent, Chris White
Colin Blunstone chronology
One Year
(1971)
Ennismore
(1972)
Singles from One Year
  1. "Mary Won't You Warm My Bed"
    Released: 1971
  2. "Caroline Goodbye"
    Released: 1971
  3. "Say You Don't Mind"
    Released: 1972

One Year is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Colin Blunstone, a member of the Zombies. It was released by Epic Records in 1971. It includes "Say You Don't Mind", which peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. [2]

Contents

Production

After the Zombies disbanded in 1968, Blunstone left the music business only to return after the surprise success of "Time of the Season". [3] Recorded between 1970 and 1971, One Year was co-produced by Blunstone's former Zombie colleagues Rod Argent and Chris White. [3] Some of the songs had previously been recorded during the last days of the Zombies, although they were re-recorded for this album.

The album chronicled a year in Blunstone's life, during which he broke up with his then-girlfriend, actress Caroline Munro, to whom "Caroline, Goodbye" is obviously addressed.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [3]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Fred Thomas gave it 5 stars out of 5, writing: "Marked by a thoughtfulness that’s always on the brink of despair, One Year is an understated masterpiece. It drifts by quickly but connects immediately, capturing the same stir of conflicting feelings as remembering a time that will never happen again, or a romance you wish hadn’t ended quite so soon." [3] Neil Tennant said: "It's an incredibly romantic album, which is why it's been with me such a long time." [5] Thurston Moore called it "a gorgeous example of classic British pop music." [6] He added: "It's very personal, very sophisticated in its sentiment." [6]

In 2007, The Guardian included it on the "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die" list. [7]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."She Loves the Way They Love Her" Rod Argent, Chris White 2:49
2."Misty Roses" Tim Hardin 5:04
3."Smokey Day"Rod Argent, Chris White3:13
4."Caroline Goodbye" Colin Blunstone 2:54
5."Though You Are Far Away"Colin Blunstone3:24
6."Mary Won't You Warm My Bed" Mike d'Abo 3:11
7."Her Song"Rod Argent, Chris White3:31
8."I Can't Live Without You"Colin Blunstone3:27
9."Let Me Come Closer to You"Colin Blunstone2:24
10."Say You Don't Mind" Denny Laine 3:20
2006 reissue edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."I Hope I Didn't Say Too Much Last Night" (mono single version)Colin Blunstone3:30
2010 reissue edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."I Hope I Didn't Say Too Much Last Night" (mono single version)Colin Blunstone3:30
12."Mary Won't You Warm My Bed" (mono single version)Mike d'Abo3:06

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

Musicians

Technical personnel

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References

  1. "The Making of One Year - featuring Colin Blunstone". Life of the Record. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  2. "Colin Blunstone". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Thomas, Fred. "One Year - Colin Blunstone". AllMusic . Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  4. Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0195313734.
  5. "Music's secret weapons (part two)". The Guardian . 6 October 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. 1 2 Barker, Emily (19 September 2014). "Foo Fighters, The Killers, St Vincent – 30 Huge Artists On Their Favourite 'Lost' Albums". NME . Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  7. "Artists beginning with B (part 1)". The Guardian . 17 November 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2019.